A Willow Carved in Stone: A Gloire Battle Report

[PeteMurray]

In our last game, our heroes had discovered fragments of a book which laid out how a survivor of the Plantagenet line might press a legal claim to the thrones of England and France. Now they converge on the family cemetery of the Dukes of Anjou, looking for clues as to what family this Angevin heir might be from.



First through the gate is Sir Giles and company (nominally winners of the last game, by virtue of wounds scored.)



Elizabeth explores the macabre Tomb of the Four Children, looking for clues.



Pistol shots in a moonlit cemetery remind a man that this is a most dangerous business.



Overview of the board after the first turn. The dice on top of the tombs correspond to the tombs' names and values as clues. A bit like fixed, persistent Encounter Markers.



Thibault challenges Sir Giles, but takes a riposte in turn. But no fear! Marie Magdalene, smuggler queen, arrives. With a skillful lunge, she deals Sir Giles a blow to the head that sends the English noble reeling into unconsciousness.





The Baron du Montmartre is chivalrous enough to admire Miss Elizabeth, but duty overwhelms all remaining gallantry as he charges.



Illumisar demonstrates his mastery of statistics, only to have the dice gods scoff at things like “expected outcome” and “optimal conservation of Hero Points.” This exchange, or similar ones, occurred twice in the game.



The game ends after Turn 4. Baron du Montmartre takes the lead after cleverly deciphering the mystery of the tomb of Elaine of Brittany.



----------------

Elizabeth applied a fresh bandage to Sir Giles' head.

"The wound is deep and will require attention, but you are fortunate it was not fatal. Another inch to either side," she said, not completing the picture. "Regardless, we have profited much.

"I was able to survey a number of the tombs. From what I can infer, it would seem that the Angevin heir would be the Marquis of Southampton, who happens to be in Calais at the present."

"But your own leg is bandaged, and your dress torn," said Sir Giles, still thick from concussion.

"That," said Elizabeth firmly, "Is a matter I intent to settle with the Baron when we meet in Calais."

[Malamute]

A fun read.   nice looking miniatures too  
I must get around to buying these rules. I have a fair sized Redoubt Miniatures Three Musketeers collection and have been frustrated until now as to the availability of a good set of rules.

[Driscoles]

Hello,
thanks for sharing. The report is great and fun to read. one of the blokes looks like LORD LOTHAR hehe....
Anyway....one thing...I dont wanna nag, but you should not use dice as marker. Try something else. Maybe some plastic bases with numbers or so.
Cheers
Björn

[PeteMurray]

You're right, it does detract from the look a bit. The fault is mine--I forgot to make up counters for the tombs.

Sorry also for the dark pictures--my camera is junk and there's only so much photoshopping I can do to them.  

[Westfalia Chris]

You're right, it does detract from the look a bit. The fault is mine--I forgot to make up counters for the tombs.

Ahh, see it the positive way - there´s ALWAYS room for improvement! I like undead dice, so what the hell...

Sorry also for the dark pictures--my camera is junk and there's only so much photoshopping I can do to them.  

Only adds to the gloomy atmosphere! ::

A very nice Batrep!

[Mo]

Sorry also for the dark pictures--my camera is junk and there's only so much photoshopping I can do to them.  

Only adds to the gloomy atmosphere! ::

I did think that was intentional. You shouldn't have told us it was a mistake.

Marc

[Plynkes]

Adding silly captions to battle reports is top fun, ain't it?



I like those creepy trees. Silver Birch by the look of things.

But EVIL Silver Birch...

[SgtPerry]

That's a nice report, and I also like those trees. That's exactly what I need for my WW2 eastfront games!

Olivier

[PeteMurray]

The trees are Mark's. They're by Lemax, for their "Christmas Village" line. You can usually buy them on the cheap after the holiday at one of the big box craft stores. The Euro mob may have a harder time laying hands on them.

They are awesome. They're coated wire, look fantastic, and are virtually indestructable.

Poly, I did steal the idea for captions from you, though I strongly deny having done so.

Edit: "Herpestinate" means "mongoose-like."

"Callipygenous" means "Possessing shapely buttocks."

[Grimm]

Ok I like the Report and I looking out for part 3 of the story  

The pictures are nice because they catch dark atmosphere of the graveyard so don´t be sorry abaut them .
I also like the terrain believe it or not
Ifyou don´t have the time to make better terrain that graveyard will be the best you can get .
one question I have
Who are the Guys that play the game I want Names and Forum Names also !!
These Boys have a sympathetic figure :wink:
and were is a picture from you ??

cheers Grimm

[PeteMurray]

Believe it or not, none of those guys are members here. I'm trying to convince them to join but they saw pictures of Tactica and now they're frightened of Teutonic Efficiency.  :wink:

Two of them are on TMP. In the first picture, the guy on the left is Joey, or Deathwing on TMP. The guy on the right is named Steve, but he isn't registered anywhere! In the second picture, the guy on the left is Mark, who goes by Illumisar on TMP. We play at his house, because his house has a dedicated game room, and his basement is lined with tons of games--board games, RPGs, and minis.

The group got together based on a note I put up on TMP. There are one or two other people in the area who are interested, but haven't made it to play yet. We're going to finish this campaign next month, after Cold Wars.

There are no pictures of me because I had the camera the whole time. Plus you already know what I look like.

[Grimm]

Plus you already know what I look like. Do I ?
can´t remember  :

To much lead in my mind  

[Plynkes]

I'm pretty sure I know what Pete looks like. I've narrowed it down to one of these three:









 :wink:

[PeteMurray]

The third picture is closest.

[Operator5]

To get a REAL picture of the much-maligned Mr. Murray go here:

http://rattrap-productions.com/ImageGallery/main.php?g2_itemId=164

He's the one that looks like a 14-year old.  ::